The Archive of Esoteric Secrets

Syphoning Grasp

3-level Transmutation

A beam of sickly purple energy attaches itself to a creature within range, draining their lifeforce. Make a ranged spell attack against a creature that you can see within range. On a hit, the target takes 2d8 necrotic damage and is linked by the syphoning grasp.   At the start of each of the target creatures turns whilst the link is attached, it must succeed on a Constitution saving throw, or take an additional 2d6 necrotic damage, taking half on a success.   Any necrotic damage dealt by this spell reduces the target creature's hit point maximum by an amount equal to the damage dealt. Additionally, this spell has no effect on constructs or undead.   The tether is broken if its takes radiant damage greater than your spellcaster level + the spell's level, or the target creature starts its turn more that 60 feet away from the caster. Either effects end the spell early.
At higher levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the initial damage of the spell increases by 1d8 per spell slot level expended above 3rd.